Mast Surveys

Acorn Production for 2003

Overall, acorn production is poor this year. Red
oaks have virtually no production and white oaks and chestnut oaks
are variable with fair to good production in isolated areas,
especially at higher elevations. Records indicate that this is
the lowest production in over 15 years. Acorn production
can be quite variable from year to year with crops ranging
from several hundred pounds per acre in excellent years to
almost no production in poor years. WRD personnel did observe other
hard and soft mast crops that performed better than acorns this
year such as: hickories, blackgums, crabapples, persimmons and
grapes. These alternate food sources will most likely be highly
utilized by wildlife in north Georgia this fall and winter.